Overview
The article is a detailed guide to visiting a set of sea caves along the Sunset Cliffs coast near Point Loma / San Diego. The author shares personal experience, accessible directions, safety tips, and best-timing for exploring the main “open ceiling” cave.
Key Tips & Timing
The cave is only safely accessible during a negative tide (i.e., a tide reading with a minus sign) because the water level must be low enough.
Arrive about 30 minutes before the lowest tide mark, and be sure you have enough time to leave before tides rise. For example, the author visited starting ~3:30 pm for a lowest tide at ~4:07 pm, then left around ~4:40 pm.
Wear proper footwear (water shoes) and consider that your feet will likely get wet—even with low tide. Slippery rocks are a concern.
How to Get There & Routes
Start from the general area of Luscomb Point / Hill Street parking near Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.
There are two main routes to reach the cave:
Route 1: The “surfer’s route” — shorter but more challenging, involves climbing down the cliff beside the fenced cave area.
Route 2: A longer but safer path — climb down to the beach, then walk along rocks and small caves around the shoreline until you reach the main open-ceiling cave. The author recommends Route 2.
Once on the beach, proceed north (or along the coast) until you find the cove, then walk or climb into the cave. Be cautious of slippery rock and changing water.
What to Expect Inside the Cave
The main cave features an open roof (“open ceiling”) allowing seawater and light to pour in—it creates a dramatic photo spot especially just before sunset.
Inside, you’ll likely encounter shallow water (ankle-to-knee deep depending on tide) and wet rocks—so moving slowly and wearing good footwear is important.
It’s a popular spot for photographers, given the combination of cave, cliff, sea light and sunset. The author notes the need to be respectful of others who might be trying to capture the same angle.
Final Thoughts
The author reflects that although they were initially hesitant to visit the cave (due to the perceived difficulty and danger), the experience turned out to be “spectacular” and not as scary as expected with proper preparation. They express enthusiasm for exploring more of the caves along the cliffs.
